Rockies’ Tyler Chatwood hit hard in tie with White Sox

For the third consecutive day, a Rockies starting pitcher got hit hard and often during Cactus League action as the Rockies rallied to tie the White Sox 5-5 Sunday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

Right-hander Tyler Chatwood left a lot of pitches over the plate and the White Sox got fat.

“My four-seam fastball was moving out over the plate,” Chatwood said. “When they got those (five) hits in the second, it was mostly on four-seamers.”

Tyler Chatwood (Getty Images file)

In 5 1/3 innings, Chatwood surrendered five runs on 10 hits. He also walked two and hit a batter. With just one spring tune-up left before the regular season, it’s not what the Rockies were hoping for. His ERA sits at 4.85.

Saturday, lefty Brett Anderson was able to minimize damage, but he still gave up three runs on 12 hits over three innings. His ERA is a very respectable 3.27.

Friday, opening-day starter Jorge De La Rosa got the hook after just three innings, giving up five earned runs on nine hits. The lefty’s spring ERA is a worrisome 8.44.

Sunday, after getting one-hit through the first five innings, the Rockies rallied to tie the game at 5-5 with three runs in the ninth, thanks to errors and wild pitches by the White Sox.

Hits: Reliever Wilton Lopez, trying to rebound from his disappointing 2013 season, continues to pitch well. He pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out two and lowering his ERA to 1.86. … Catcher Wilin Rosario got a rare start at first base and made two nice scoops at the bag. He might be used at first on occasion during the regular season as a way to get his bat in the lineup.

Misses: Colorado’s offense was stymied by Chicago starter Quintana Jose Quintana, who held them to one hit — and the minimum number of batters — through five inning. … Rockies backup catcher Mike McKenry had some weak throws to second on White Sox stolen bases, and he was charged with an error for an attempted pickoff throw to first base in the fourth inning.

Up next: The Rockies play their sixth consecutive home game at Salt River Fields Monday when they host the Kansas City Royals in a 1:10 p.m. game (2:10 p.m MDT). Lefty Franklin Morales, trying to win the fifth spot in the rotation, starts for Colorado. Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, the former Rockie, starts for the Royals.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.